Motor operated valve



Feb. 8, 1944.

A. J. TROTT MOTOR OPERATED VALVE Filed June 4, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. ARTHUR J TROTT.

ATTORNEY.

F eb. 8, 1944.

A, J. TROTT MOTOR OPERATED VALVE Filed June 4, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet s L AIR \SUPPL EXHAU6T.

EXHAUST.

LA/R \SUPPLY- INVENTOR. ARTHUR J TRorT. ATTORNE).

m W, U 0 m b" oi Fig. 3,

.Fig. ti.

Patented Feb. 81 1944.

UNITED s'rA Es PATENT; OFFICE 2,a4o,9s9

Arthur J. Trott, Greensburg, Pat, assignor to Walworth Patents Inc.,Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 4,1942,.Serlal'No. 445,744 15 Claims. (01. rar -139) This inventionrelates to power operated valves and more particularly to power operatedvalves having provision for manual actuation.

One object of the invention is to convert man,-

ually. operated valves. for combined power and manual actuation withoutexcessive alterations. Another object of the invention is to permitcombined power and manual actuation of either rising or non-rising stemvalves.

Another object of the invention is to operate the. valves by powerbetween open and closed positions from any distance with a minimum ofconnecting parts. v

Another object of the invention is to permit power actuation from aremote point'and manual actuation at thevalve location without danger tothe operator Another object of the invention is to secure a compactarrangement so that conversion of the valves to combined power andmanual actuation will not result in excessive overallheight or otherwisedetract from the appearance or field of use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

wherein: A

Fig.1 is a front elevation of a gate valve having the invention appliedthereto:

Fig.2 is a planview of the same,

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view or the valve operating mechanism,

4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV Fig. 5 is a rig.- 6 is asection-taken on the line VI-'VI of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a partial section similar to Hg. 3. but showing the parts inanother position,

. Fig; 8 is a section taken on the line VIH oi Fig. 3,- v

Fig. 9 is a partial s but showing a modified form,

:Fig. 10 is a planview 'of the distributing valve,

Fig. 13 is a' schematic view illustrating'fthe section taken on thelineif-V of distributing valve in a diflerent position irom that of Fig. 13.

Referring more particularly to the drawings. the invention isillustrated as beingapplied to a gate valve of the non-rising stem typehaving a body Ill provided with a passage therethrough controlled byreciprocating movements of the gate member It. Threadedly engaging withthe gate member i2 is a valve stem l4 which pro= jects'throughthe'bonnet it of the-valve body It and is provided with the usual collarI8 which is engaged by a nut (not shown) secured to the bonnet it and bymeans of which the stem M is prevented from partaking of thereciprocating movements of the gate, l2. The bonnet It carries a yokemember 22 terminating in'an annular cap Mthrough which the stem it proonthe stem it and cooperating with suitable indicia 23 marked on the yoketo indicate the open and closed positions of the valve.

Thecap a l has a recess 26 around the stem opening providing a socketfor the reception of action similar te nis. 3,

I Fig. 11 is a plan view similar to Fig. 19 but I r with the partsremoved to show the interior.

course of fluid from the. distributing valve to the-valve operatingmechanism and motor, and

- Figs. 14 and 15 are schematic views of the a head it formed on the endof a hollow driving member 30. The driving member. W has oppositelydisposed keyways 32. formed on its interior surface for slidable engaement with keys 3t projecting from the perip cry of an adapter it whichengages the tapered end of the valve stem it and is secured in positionby means of the nut it engaging with the usual threaded projection it onthe conical end of the valve stem It. The end of the driving member itopposite the head it provides a bearing portion for a handwheel clutchelement it which is iournaled thereon and supports handwheel M which issecured against rotation relative thereto by means of a'key M. A closurecap tt threadedly engages theadjacent end of the driving'me'mber M andoverlies the hub of the handwheel 4d at; prevent withdrawal from theclutch element The handwheel clutch element M is provided with anenlarged cup-shaped portion tlllupon the base of which the hub of thehandwheel it is partlysupported. Projecting inwardly from the rim of thecup-shaped portion is aseries of clutch teeth 52 whichengage. withcooperating. teeth 54 formed on an "aip r 'iannuiar' flange 56 01 aslidable clutch memberwhich also b e ver annular flange en with teethand connected to the u abody portion 62. of annular form and is mounelement 30 with the body 62 and flange 60 projetting from the handwheelclutch element 42. The upper flange 56 and body portion 62 of the member68 are provided with an annular recess 64 for reception of a coil spring66 which extends from the lower flange60 into engagement with a similarannular recess 61 of lesser depth in the inside face of the cup shapedportion 50 of the handwheel clutch element 42. The driving element 30 isprovided with a key-68 which projects into a suitable keyway formed ,on

pper annular flange 66. by The clutch member 58 is ted on the drivingthe inner surface of the slidable clutch member 58 and permitsreciprocating movement or the clutch relative to the drivin elementwhile preventing relative rotation.

The annular cap 24 of the valve yoke serves to support the larger end ofa substantially elliptical gear housing I secured thereto by means ofthe screws I2. The gear housing I0 is cupshaped and is provided with aninterior collar 14 defining a circularopening with its wall spaced fromthe driving element 30. The collar terminates adjacent the toothed rim'of clutch member 42 and is provided with an internal annular flange I6intermediate its ends through which the driving member 30 projects. The.flange I8 serves to support the clutch member 58 in its lowermostposition and its underside is provided with a series oi cylindricalchambers I8 within which plungers 80 are adapted to reciprocate in fluidtight engagement. Any suitable number of chambers and plungers may beprovided and, in this instance, eight are shown.

In ing I0 provides The plungers 80' each have a head portion 82 g ofless thickness than the depth of the chamber I8 and are provided with astem portion 84 which projects through a suitable perforation 4 66formed in the chambers I8.

- A closure plate 88 is'mounted on the head flange I6 concentric withthe portion 28 of the driving element 80 within the collar I4 forclosing the opening therethrough and is secured to the gear housing I0by means of the screws 80. The closure plate 68 is spaced from theflange I6 providing an annular chambet for the reception of a nozzlering 92, the,

underside of which is provided with a pair of annular grooves 94 and 96positioned concentrically one within the other. The gear housing I0 hasa pair of diametrically opposite passages t a es I00 and 29' and 99which register wi h pass g a I a pair of spac IOI respectively formed inthe closure plate 86. The passage I00 communicates with the annulargroove 94 while the recess IOI communicates with the annular groove 96.Fluid entering the passage 96 travels through passage I00 and to groove94 from where it is distributed to four of the chambers I8 beneath thplungers 80 by apertures 96 connecting the groove with the chambers. Inthe same way, fluid entering the opposite passage 99 travels throughpassages IOI to groove 96 and'enters four other chambers I8 throughapertures 91 connecting this groove with these chambers. The apertures96 and 91 connect with alternate chambers so that plungers equallydistributed around :the clutch. are actuated simultaneously.

The end of the interior collar I4 of the gear 50 is non member valve mem.1 of a coil spring opening I52 betw housing I0 isspaced from thetoothed portion 62 or the handwheel clutch 42 and projectingtherebetween isian annular'flangeIM formed on a spur gear I04. The spurgear is iournaled on the collar I4. longitudinal moveme ing between thep I02 is provided with an arcuate projection I06 forming a hammerelement with which a similar aIch'ate projection I08 .iorming an anvilelement of the clutch element 58 engages on portion 62 The'smaller endof the elliptical gear houssupport for' a pinion II 0 driven from thespindle II2 of an air motor II4 of any suitable construction whichdepends .is secured to the gear housing by means of the screws H6. Thepinion I I0 may engage directly with the spur gear I02 but, in thisinstance, an

idler gear "8 is interposed therebetween and .mounted on a stud I20projecting from the gear housing 10. A cover I22 encloses the gearingand clutch elements and has an opening which extends'around thecup-shaped portion of the .handwheel clutch 42 on the underside of thehandwheel 44.

The fluid connections for the motor H4 and the clutch elements consist,'in this embodiment, of suitable piping which serves to connect theseparts to a distributing valve designated generally by the referencenumeral I 24. The connection at the motor II4 may comprise a pipingconnection I26 which extends from the motor' ed by the' gear housingT134 by means of a pipe I36 a passage I50 communicates. A fluid supplypipe I6I connects with the passage I50 and sup plies pressure fluid froma source of supply. The plug I44 has a blind axial ope -circular andreceives a circular projection I54 I 55. housed within I 40, in registrysimilar nonof a distributing valve .The distributing valve I56 is arecess I68 formed in the plate with recess I48 and with which edpassages I60 and I6I compassages I60 and I6I communisupply pipes I30 andI32 remunicate. The catewith the spectively.

The distributing valve member I56 is provided wv with a C-shaped rec essforming a port I64 and a pair of spaced ports I66 and I68 which areadapted to register with the ports I60 and IN respectively when thevalve is rotated in its seats The C-shaped port is formed in the face ofthe her I06 adjacent the bottom of recess I58 and serves to connect theports I60 and- I6I with an axial passage I62 in the plate I40. The valvemember to its seat in the rec een th bottom of the blin for threepositions 01' the distribut he provided, andin this embodi form' ofletters ng valve may ent take the and is maintained against,

at by the flange I 02 projectarts described. The flange from andommunicating with the passage v g valve I24 of this invention projectingtherefrom and carrying an handle I46. The plug projects intoa' .5central recess I46 in the plate I38 withwhich ning I52 which I56 may beresiliently held 1 ess I58 of plate I40 by means I10 housed withintheblind" e projection I54 and the. d opening. Suitable indicia O, N and Sdesignating open,-

'gate valve 12 by v wheel-t4 may be rotated to'rotatethe stem I4 vthrough the interposition or the plutchin'g means remains connected ,byway oi the pipe 'the groove '96 by way of rotating the pinion I 4 e Ithe idler I It in a similar direction. The hammer "aittuthereuponengages the anvil "I8- with an la eneutral and shut marked on the plateIll. The

handle I43 is provided with apointer I'll which cooperates withprojections I14 formed on the plate I38 adjacent the indicia. stops I16may project irom the plate Ill to engag with the pointer I12 and limitrotation of the valve member I.

A'pair of limit In the operation or the device described it may beassumed that the gate valve member I! is'in i sitio'n ofthe c-shapedport I 44- as shown diagrammatically in Fig- 13. The ports "Band I39 areclosed by the unported area or plate .I4II and there is no outlet forpressure fluid entering the distributing valve. 1! it is'desired to openthe -manual operation, the handdescribed. Thus upon such rotation, thehandwheel clutch element 42' will be rotated through the key 49 and willrotate the slidable clutch member 58 through the teeth 52 and 54 onthese parts. When the clutch 58 is rotated, the driving element 30 willin turn be rotated .through the key 88 and,'through the keys 34', willcause rotation of the valve stem I4 through the adapter 36 securedthereto.

If, on the other hand, it .is, desired to open the valve by poweroperation, the distributing valve handle I49 is moved in an arcuate pathto align the indicator I12 with the lug I114 adjacent the O marking..The port I88 in the distributing valve member W6 will be moved intooverlying relationship with the port IBI while the port I60 through thec-shaped port with the, exhaust I62. This position is showndiagrammatically in Fig. 15. Air is now supplied I32 to the T iitting IMto the outer annular groove 96 of the clutch assembly. From this groove95 the air enters those piston chambers I8 which'are connected with theapertures ti. At this time it will be apparent that the inner groove 9tand the apertures 99 connected therewith are in communication with theexhaust I62 through the T fitting I28 and pipe I30. The pistons titassociated with the apertures 9i and-receiving air from the groove 96will be actuated to the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position theslidable clutch 59 is actuated upwardly compressing the spring 69 andmoving the teeth t l thereon out of engagement with the teeth 52 of thehandwheel clutch 50. The anvil element Idt carried by the clutch 58 isthus moved into the plane of the hammer element I06 carried by the spurgear IM.

Simultaneously with admission of air to actuair is also admitted by wayof the pipe I36 to the air motor lit. The motor I is adapted uponreceiving air-from ,the pipe I38 rotate in a counterclockwise directionthus to V I and spur gear III l through impact suflicient to free thevalve it. from its seat; The drive inq-this case of motor operat onisthrough the clutch;:59...bygway otrthe key 88 to driving -'element'3llwhich causes rotation on the stem I8 through the adapter 39 and. associ-Etta a; :4; It will be observed that the mindwheel 44 is completelydisconnected from the I driving element 30 at this time by thereciproca-; I tion or theclutch 58 to disengage the teeth It and doesnot rotate. Itwill. furthermore be apparent that during manual operationof the valve the motor is disconnected by connection 01' both supplyports IGII and IQI with the exhaust I62 permitting spring-69 to reengagethe handwheel clutch. .'In the event that-motor operation is initiatedthen the handwheel 44 is immediately disconnected by the slidablemovement or the 11. In thisposition clutch [8 described. In case wherethe distributing valve I24 is located at a remote point from the valvestructure 'to-be operated, there is no danger that, during manualoperation by' one. operator, another will commence motor operation tospin the ,handwheel and cause injury ii! the manual means were notautomatically discomnected.

In order to close the valve manually it is apparent that the handwheel44 need only be rotated in a clockwise direction as is customary toconduct this operation. In the case of nmotor operation, thedistributing valve handle I46 is moved toithe S position serving toconnect thev port I96 with port I69 and the c-shaped port I84 with theother port I6I. As illustrated in Fig. 14 the air from the supply pipeISI is then conducted through the ports described to the pipe I30 andenters the power actuation mechanism through the T I28. simultaneouslywith its admissionto the motor through the pipe I26.

As the T. fitting I28 is' connected through passage 98 with the innerannular groove 94, the pistons 90 which receive fluid through the ports95 associated with the groove 94 are thereupon actuated. The groove 93is at this time connected through the passage 99 and T fitting it withthe pipe I32 and to exhaust". The otor Ilil receiving fluid through thepipe I29 is thereupon rotated in a clockwise direction and initiatessimilar rotation of the valve stem I6 through the gearing and clutchingelements previously described. When the valve I2 has reached its seatthe valve handle ltd may be moved to the neutral position whereupon bothports I80 and IBI are connected by the c-shaped .port IBt with theexhaust and portsiiit and IE8 closed as previously described.

It will be observed that there is sumcient clear- I anc'e between thevalve stem nut 38andthe closure can to permit travel of the valve stem 3types, it desired it relatively to the driving element 30. Suchprovision enables-the operating unit to be used on rising stem valves;such. as the globe and-angle and without structural alteration.

n the operating unit'is to be used on rising stem valves where tlie stemtravel is considerable. ason rising stem gate valves, the modified formshown in Fig. 9 may be used. Thestem in such valves does not rotate, butthreadedly engages in a yoke nutand reciprocates therein. In place ofsuch yoke nut, the driving element I80 isprovided with a threaded boreengaging the valve stem 082. The closure cap I84 threaded-to the drivingelement is provided with an opening i8t bored' to clear the valve stembut otherwise is the same as in the previous embodiment. The driving.element I80 may'also be keyed tothe slidable clutch 58 which, togetherwith the other parts shown,-is identical with that previously describedand carries similar reference numeral.

The combined manual and power actuating tion to another,

i for operating the unit o'i this invention may take other forms thatdescribed and illustrated herein and it is to be understood that theembodiments disclosed are not to be taken as limiting the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

- I claim:

1. .A valve operatingmechanism comprisingin combination, a handwheelto'operate the valve between positions, a'fluid motor to operate thevalve between said positions, means movable to establish valve operatingrelation with'either saidhandwheel or motor, separate conduits forsupplying fluid to said motor for operating the valve selectively indifferent directions from one posiand means for connecting said motorsupply conduits to apply fluid pressure to said movable means.

2. A valve operating mechanism comprising in combination, a handwheel tooperate the valve between positions, a fluid motor to operate the valvebetween said positions, mean movable to establish valve operatingrelation with either said I handwheel or motor, separate conduits forsupplying fluid to said motor for operating the valve in diii'erentdirections from one position to another, means controlling the supply offluid to said conduits according to the direction of valve operation,and means for connecting said motor supply conduits to apply fluidpressure to said movable means under control of said controlling means.7

3. A valve operating mechanism comprising in combination, a handwheel tooperate the valve between positions, a fluid motor to operate the valvebetween said positions, means movable to establish valve operatingrelation with either said handwheel or motor, separate conduits forsupplying fluid to said motor for operating the yalve in differentdirections from one position to another, a distributing valvecontrolling the supply of fluid to said conduits according tothe'direction of valve operation, a plurality of pressure operatedelements for actuating said movable means to establish motor operationof said valve, and means for applying fluid pressure to at least one ofsaid elements independently of another under control of saiddistributing valve.

4. A valve operating mechanism comprising in combination, a handwheel tooperate-the valve between positions, a fluid motor to operate the valvebetween said positions, means movable'to disconnect the handwheel fromvalve operating relation and connect the motor in such relation,separate conduits for supplying fluid to said motor valve in differentdirections from one position to another, said conduits actingalternately to conduct exhaust fluid from said motor, a distributingvalve for reversing the .direction of flow in said conduits according tothe direction of valve operation, a plurality of pressure operatedelements for actuating said movable means to establish motor operationofsaid valve, and connections from each of said conduits to difl'erentones of said elements whereby fluid pressure is applied to at least oneof said elements while another said element is connected with theexhaust.

5. A combined manual and power actuating unit for rising and non-risingstem valves, comelement, clutch means for connecting said handwheel anddriving element together, power actuated means engageable by said clutchmeans for connection to said driving element, means operable on saidclutch for selective engagement thereof ,with said handwheel and poweractuated means, and means for connectingthe last said means to a sourceof pow 6. A combined manual and power animating unit for rising andnon-rising stein valves, comprising a hollow driving' element mounted onthe valve stemand adapted for relative longitudinal in movement, ahandwheel journaled on the driving element, clutch means slidably butnon-rotatably mounted on said driving element, inte means onsaidhandwheel and clutch for connecting said handwheel tosaid drivingelement, power actuated mean engageable-by said clutch for connection tosaid driving element, means b said clutch into engagement with saidhandwheel, and power actuated means for ove said biasing means andengaging the first said power actuated means and ,clutch.

'7. A comblned'manual and power actuating unit for valves, comprising adriving element for the valve stem, a handwheel rotatable with respectto said driving element, clutch means slidably mounted on the drivingelement, interengagr ing means on the handwheel and clutch fortransmitting rotation, of the handwheel to said driving element, poweractuated means engageable by said clutch for connection to said drivingelement, means connecting said power actuated means to. a source ofpower, said means serving alternately as supply to and exhaust from saidpower actuated means; and means for actuating said clutch by power fromsaid connecting means. 8. Power operated changeover means for selectivemanual: and power actuation ,of a driven element, comprising a drivingelement operabiyconnected to the driven element, manually opercablemeans rotatable relatively to said driving 40 element, a motor andgearing therefor normally disconnected from said driving element, and aclutch normally biased to connect said manually operable means to saiddriving'element for manation of said motor, said clutch including areciprocable member secured againstarelative rotation with the drivingelement and having impact imparting engagement with said gearing uponoperation of said motor, and power actuated means for engaging saidmember and gearing.

9. Power operated changeover means for selective manual and poweractuation of a driven 5 element,'comprising a driving element operably qconnected to the driven element, manually operabie means rotatablerelatively to said driving element, a motor and gearing therefornormally disconnected from said driving element, and a clutch normallybiased-to connect said manually operable means to said driving elementfor manual operation of the driven element but being automaticallydisengageable therefrom to oon nect said gearing and driving elementupon operation of said motor, said clutch including an annular memberslidably but non-rotatably mounted on said driving element, a pluralityof relatively to said driving element, a fluid motor and gearingtherefor normally disconnected from said driving element, means movablebetween said gearing and handwheei to establish connection with one orthe other and said driving element, separate conduits, for supplyingfluid to said motor for operatingwhe valve in difierent directions fromone position to another, a distributing valve for reversing thedirection or flow in said conduits, biasing means normally maintainingsaid movable memberfin position to establish connection between saidhandwheel and driving element, a plurality 'o'ipungers spaced around theside or said memberJopposite said and separate chambers connectingalternate plungers and being connected individually with separateconduits for applying fluid pressure to said plungers means against theaction or said biasing means.

11. Spindle operating means comprising in combination, manually operablemeans for operating the spindle, a spindle, means movable to establishspindle operating relation with either said manual means or motor,separate conduits for supplying fluid to said motor for operating saidspindle selectively in difierent directions, and means 101' selectivelyconnecting said motor supply conduits to supply means.

12. A combined manual and power actuating means comprising manuallyoperable means rotatable with respect to said element, a clutch slidablymounted on said element, interengaging means on said 'manual means andclutch for transmitting rotation or to said element, power actuatedmeans engageable by said clutch element, means connecting said oweractuated means to a source oi power, said means serving alternately assupply to and exhaust rrom said er actuated means, and means foractuating said clutch by power from said connecting means.

fluid motor for operating the to operate said movable operated devicefor operating iorcon- 4o with 13. A combined manual and power actuatingmeans for spindles, comprising a manually operable device ior operatingsaid spindle, a power operated device for operating said spindle, eachsaid device having a driving connection spaced from the other, drivingmeans mounted on said spindle for reciprocable movement between saidconnections for establishing operative engagement between one device andthe spindle while simultaneously disengaging the other, means biasingsaid driving means into operative engagement with said manually operabledevice, means for controlling the power supply. to said power operateddevice, and common means connecting said controlling means device forpower operation thereof andto said driving means for overcoming saidbiasing means. 14. A combined manual and power actuating means forspindles, comprising a manually operated device for operating saidspindle, a operated device for operating said clutch to establishspindle operating relation with either said manual or power operateddevice, separate means for supplying power to said power operated deviceto operate said spindle selectively in, diflerent directions, and meansconnected to said power supply means tor supplying power to operate saidclutch;

15. A combined manual and power actuatingmeans for spindles, comprisinga manually operated device for. operating the spindle, a power thespindle, a clutch to establish spindle operating relation with eithersaid manual or power operated device, a pair of connections forsupplying power to said power operated device for operating said spindleselectively in diilerent directionabranch connections from each or saidpair for supplying power to operate said clutch,- and distributing meanswhich said pair are connected positioned remote from said operateddevices.

Aa'mort J. TROTT.

to said power operated

